Wisconsin

The patchwork of laws both on a state and local level presents real challenges to businesses and may be a precursor to future local level efforts to create new areas of employee rights and potential causes of action.

In short, the patent troll usually ends up forcing the smaller company to license its patents rather than empty its pockets to fight for its own IP rights in court. Wisconsin’s Senate Bill 498 contains provisions that attempt to curb this activity.

The Supreme Court’s refusal to certify a national gender discrimination class action in its 2011 decision in Dukes v. Wal-Mart has not deterred the women of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. from seeking justice for perceived mistreatment.